This is the game you pull out when you want to prove to your kids that board games aren't just Monopoly and Candy Land. Forbidden Island nails the sweet spot of being simple enough to teach in five minutes but strategic enough that you're actually making interesting decisions.

The cooperative aspect is clutch for families—instead of one kid gloating while another flips the board, everyone's frantically trying to save the mission together. Parents can genuinely participate without either dominating or throwing the game. And when you lose (which you will, especially on higher difficulties), it's a shared 'oh man, so close!' moment instead of tears.

The production quality is solid—beautiful artwork, chunky tiles, treasure figurines that feel special. At around $20-25, it's an absolute steal for the replay value. Yes, serious gamers will eventually graduate to meatier co-ops like Pandemic or Spirit Island, but this remains a perfect 30-minute palate cleanser.

The only real knock: if your family already loves complex games, this might feel too light. But for most families? This is the game that opens the door to modern board gaming. Spiel des Jahres nomination, Mensa Select winner, 99,000 people own it on BGG—there's a reason this one's a classic.